Armpit sweating begins during puberty and doesn’t let up. Everyone goes through it and deals with this annoyance by using antiperspirants and deodorants. However, a small percentage of people suffer from excessive armpit sweating. This condition is embarrassing and can be socially impairing. Negative comments and office gossip further the embarrassment, and frequent clothing changes are necessary though not always practical. Help is available in treating armpit sweating.

Why the Body Sweats

The body sweats in order to regulate temperature and excrete waste products. This is a normal bodily function governed by two types of armpit sweat glands called the eccrine and apocrine glands. The eccrine glands produce the watery “sweat” while the apocrine secretes a substance similar to a protein.

During puberty, your body went through a major change and about three million sweat glands grew more active and began producing an oilier (and smellier) type of sweat. While antiperspirants and deodorants help most people, some people find themselves suffering from excessive sweating.

Sweat itself is usually odorless, however when it comes into contact with bacteria on your skin, it can become odiferous. Excessive armpit sweating can be caused by nervous system overstimulation, anxiety, stress, food, and emotional problems. Dripping armpits, sweat stained clothing and offensive odors are all signs that you are suffering from out-of-control sweat glands. Certain fabrics like silk must be avoided because the rings of sweat under your arms will be noticeable and damaging.

If you’re suffering from excessive armpit sweating, you aren’t alone. Millions of people (about 3% of the population) are suffering along with you. More than half of these people suffer in silence and never seek treatment for their problems.

How to Stop Armpit Sweating on Your OwnSwitching the types of clothing you wear and making dietary changes is your first line of defense. Look for more absorbent, natural fabrics such as cotton, wool or linen. Fabrics that are air-permeable allow your skin to breathe. When working out, choose high-tech sports fabrics that wick away moisture. Underarm shields, or dress shields, are absorbent pads that attach to your clothing in the armpit area and absorb sweat. Check for these at your local department store or go to a specialty sports store.

Avoid garlic, onions, fish, and other pungent foods. These spicy, pungent foods can contribute to body odor. In addition, caffeine and nicotine can cause extra sweat. Bathe thoroughly each day using an anti-bacterial soap. Because bacteria plus sweat equals body odor, keeping the bacteria under control helps with odor related to armpit sweating. After bathing, dry yourself thoroughly to minimize the attractive, moist areas that bacteria thrive. It is also best to keep your armpits shaved because armpit hair hangs on to the sweat and the moist environment lets bacteria thrive further compounding the odor problem.

If you have armpit sweating problems, you’ve likely tried numerous antiperspirants and deodorants. Switch brands and look for a product with a different active ingredient than you’ve been using. You may just find one that works for you.

Try using malt vinegar on your armpits at night. This old-fashioned remedy may help with your sweaty armpits. Take a shower in the morning and wash off the vinegar before applying antiperspirant.

A 20% aluminum chloride product such as Perspirex, Drichlor, Odaban, or Anhydrol may be your next do-it-yourself treatment for armpit sweating. Ask your pharmacist for assistance in selecting one of these products. Be careful because these products can damage clothing, so your best bet is to apply them at bed time. They must be applied to clean, dry armpits. Make sure your skin is completely dry otherwise a chemical reaction can occur, creating hydrochloric acid, which will irritate your skin. Even without the chemical reaction, these products can be irritating so do not use after shaving and do not use it daily.

Medicated and prescription antiperspirants such as Maxim and Drysol may work where others have failed. Drysol comes in different strengths with some requiring a prescription while Maxim is available online. In order to get a prescription, you will need to undergo an examination by your physician.

How to Stop Armpit Sweating with a Doctor’s HelpThe medical term for excessive armpit sweating is called “Axillary hyperhidrosis.” A diagnosis by a doctor involves taking a medical history. Your physician will explore various medical ailments and rule out the possibility of secondary axillary sweating as a result of other conditions. Depending on the severity of your underarm sweat problem (mild, moderate, or severe), you doctor may offer treatment suggestions ranging from dietary changes, commercial products and prescription antiperspirants to Botox and surgery.

Botox injections are a fairly new treatment for armpit sweating. This treatment is considered temporary with period re-injections required. The treatment takes about a half hour to 45 minutes. About a dozen injections deliver the botulism toxin to the affected areas where it inactivates the nerves responsible for triggering armpit sweat gland activity. This treatment reduces armpit sweating and odor for between two to eight months.

Destroying the nerves through a sympathectomy operation is a drastic step that requires a general anesthetic and a qualified surgeon. Using an incision through the chest wall, the surgeon either cuts the nerves or destroys them with an electrical current. You will be limited in your activities after the surgery for several weeks. This operation is irreversible and has numerous drawbacks including a low success rate (80%) and increased sweating elsewhere such as the trunk and feet to compensate.

Subcutaneous curettage and liposuction are options for removing the sweat glands. These methods don’t always work and have their drawbacks as well, including scarring and bruising. Surgical removal of the skin itself along with sweat glands is another option, but scarring is a big problem and this technique is rarely performed.

Lontopheresis is treatment that uses electrical stimulation to the affected area. The area must be submerged in water while the device emits electricity to the site making this option awkward for sweaty armpits. It is usually reserved for people with excessive sweating in the feet or hands.

Surgical treatments are usually reserved for the most severe cases and oral medications are generally not prescribed due to side effects

If your armpit sweating is triggered by anxiety, emotions or stress, you may be referred to a psychologist for counseling or prescribed anti-anxiety medications.

Excessive armpit sweating is certainly “the pits.” Because it is a medical condition, you should consult your physician and get the help you need in controlling this embarrassing, yet treatable, condition. Many simple steps can be done to ease the sweat including dietary changes, switching clothing fabrics, bathing with antibacterial soaps, using more effective antiperspirants, shaving your armpits, applying home remedies or topical creams, and using aluminum chloride. Your physician can offer other treatments including Botox injections, operations, liposuction, or refer you to a psychologist to control stress.

With over 3 million excessive armpit sweating suffers worldwide, you are not alone. While permanent solutions aren’t always available, you don’t have to live with the embarrassment of rings of sweat under your arms. Help is available from low-tech solutions such as malt vinegar and wearing dress shields to advanced medical treatments using the botulism toxin.

Always Consult Your Physician FirstIt is helpful to prepare yourself with health information by reading and talking to friends, but always consult your doctor before taking medical action or changing your health routine. This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. LifeScript disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.

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